Harris Corporation Forms Partnership to Upgrade FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure

Strategic Insights -

In a significant development, Harris Corporation, a leading international communications equipment company, has announced the formation of a partnership consisting of leading telecommunications companies, including Ameritech, Bell Atlantic, BellSouth, Raytheon, SBC, Sprint, and U S WEST. The partnership, known as The Harris FTI Team, aims to respond to the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) upcoming request for proposal to upgrade its telecommunications infrastructure, valued at $1.9 billion.

Key Takeaways:

  • The partnership, led by Harris Corporation, will provide the FAA with a flexible, high-quality, and low-risk telecommunications infrastructure that meets modernization and cost reduction goals.
  • The contract, worth $1.9 billion, is intended to improve operations and mission-support functions for more than 5,000 facilities.
  • The winning bidder will replace over 35,000 circuits, upgrade switching and routing services, improve network monitoring and control, and provide network engineering services.
  • The partnership plans to consolidate various national air space communications systems, including LINCS, ADTN, DMN, and NDIS.
  • The contract will run for a base period of three years, with an option for a 12-year extension.

Statistics:

  • $1.9 billion: the value of the FAA's request for proposal to upgrade its telecommunications infrastructure.
  • 5,000: the number of facilities that will benefit from the improved operations and mission-support functions.
  • 35,000: the number of circuits that will be replaced.
  • 3 years: the base period of the contract.
  • 12 years: the maximum duration of the contract, if the option is exercised.

Sources:

  • Harris Corporation, "Harris Forms Partnership to Upgrade FAA Telecommunications Infrastructure" (Sept. 27, 1999).
  • Business Wire, "Harris Forms Partnership to Upgrade FAA Communications Infrastructure" (Sept. 27, 1999).
  • Note: The original source material includes the names and titles of individuals mentioned, as well as the contact information for further inquiries.